Chicago Event: Jet Magazine and Fashion Fair Say Yes to Life, Love & Beauty!

Last night on a rainy Chicago evening hundreds of the Windy City's most fashionable women met at The Pump Room to "Say Yes to Beauty" The exclusive "Say Yes" event hosted by the iconic Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) brands, Jet Magazine and Fashion Fair Cosmetics was our introduction into the newly revamped Fashion Fair cosmetic line. Guests enjoyed complimentary "Say Yes" cocktails, appetizers and mini makeovers while DJ Kiss spinned hot R&B and Hip Hop tunes all night long.  

The JPC dream team behind the event JPC Chairman - Linda Johson Rice, JPC CEO - Desiree Rogers and Editor in Chief of Jet Magazine - Mitzi Miller mingled with the crowd and shared with us their excitement about the refreshed cosmetic line.  

Toya Nicole interviewing Editor in Chief of Jet Magazine, Mitzi Miller

The Jet Magazine and Fashion Fair partnership is all about "reintroducing Fashion Fair to a younger generation of women with bright new colors to match everyone's skin tone" shared Miller. The largest black-owned cosmetics company has been around for over 40 years and while some may think they know all about the brand, Miller encouraged women to "take a second look at the totally refreshed line"  In support of the campaign Fashion Fair recently premiered the short film "Say Yes" directed by Ava DuVernay. Starring Lance Gross and Kali Hawk, "Say Yes" (named after the Fashion Fair lip color) "explores the power of the affirmative, and the beauty that blossoms from embracing life."  I am looking forward to trying out the new line and saying YES to - life, love and beauty!

Check out some fabulous photos from the evening

Ms. #Travel Chic Travels - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Happy Travel Tuesday!

I was M.I.A. last week on the blog and for good reason..VACATION! I was in Scottsdale, Arizona for a spa weekend and enjoyed all that the beautiful town had to offer: fine dining, warm weather, shopping and of course the SPA! Can't wait to recap the trip with you all next week :-)

Today I am highlighting another one of my favorite destinations PUERTO RICO! 

Hey Papi:-) 

Enjoy!

Subway Restaurant serves alcohol...alrighty then!

The view of San Juan from our hotel

Guest Post: With the right attitude...the facts don't matter #TEWMovement

I am excited to be partnering with The #TEW Movement a book and  a movement supporting entrepreneurs! Today I bring an article from my own personal coach Donna Smith Bellinger:

Today I have a two part presentation…In part ONE want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big speech…Just three short stories. In the Second part we will help you uncover what YOUR story will be. The first story is about transition.

I came from what was known in the 60’s as middle class family. Although they liked to say “upper middle class”. My parents were children of the Great Depression: that was cold water flats, meatless meals and hand me down clothes. No labels, no fashion statements…just warm. Luxuries were very few and saving for the future was a far off dream.

Both of my parents attended college, but did not graduate. My father was drafted and served in the military during WWII, then used his GI benefits to purchase a home in a small undeveloped Chicago suburb called Maywood.

The plan was to raise their only daughter there and provide her with all of the benefits they never had.

It was a TV sitcom life. A stay at home mother who baked and attended PTA meetings; A father who was moving up in his blue color field and a daughter that attended every class known to parenting. Ballet, tap, charm school…public elementary school, private high school anything to isolate her from “bad” influences.

Then life happened; the parents divorced, and I was plunged into a blended family, went from private school to public school, part-time employment and eventually, teenage pregnancy. I was literally disowned by my family and at 18yrs old I was on my own with a 1 month old son to support.

Their parting words to me were, you’ll be working the streets in 6 months. In my mind, the fact that I had no money, no place to live, no family to turn to and knew nothing about the real world did not matter. I had a job to do and a responsibility to live up to. I knew nothing about food stamps, and how could I be overdrawn…I still have checks left?

"I'm in Love with a Church Girl": Adrienne Bailon Interview

Last week during the #Blogalicious5 conference I had the opportunity to attend a press breakfast with Adrienne Bailon. 
Adrienne most known for her role in Cheetah Girls, formerly part of the pop singing group 3LW and current co-host on “The Real” daytime show was there promoting her new film “I’m in Love with a Church Girl” 

“Church Girl” is loosely based on the true story of writer Galley Molina. The faith based film “is a powerful, inspiring story of a love between a man and a woman, a gift of second chances, and a family at home and in church that never stops praying and believing.” (Source) 

During the press breakfast, Adrienne shared with us her own faith journey, the ups and downs of celebrity and why she is so excited about this film. 

Ms. Travel Chic Travels! - Cabo

It's Week 3 of me celebrating my 1yr Blog-anniversary and am featuring photos from my favorite travel destinations! This week is special because I am talking about Cabo San Lucas, Mexico which was also the topic of my first blog post! (Read it here) 

April 2012 I went to Cabo San Lucas for the first time! It had been one of those vacation spots that a friend and I had talked about going for about two years. After hearing so many wonderful things about the weather, nightlife, beautiful beaches and hospitality I just could not wait! 

Enjoy some of the photos...

On a Sunset Dinner Cruise & Whale Watching

The view from our hotel

#Blogalicious5 Conference Recap: Lessons on living out your dreams

Over the weekend I attended the 5^th Annual “Be Blogalicious” conference Oct 3-5 at Hyatt Regency in Downtown Atlanta, GA. Since 2009 the weekend event has brought women on color in the blogging, social media and entrepreneurial field together to “collaborate, connect and uplift one another”..and it did just that! 

As a still fairly new blogger this year I have been all about seeking all the knowledge, resources and connections I can to keep my blog growing.

I was blessed enough to enjoy this experience thanks to an amazing organization I am involved in, Color Comm (Women of Color in Communications). Color Comm raffled off a FREE registration and I WON! So I knew it was meant for me to be there! I booked a Delta flight ASAP, found a roommate share and of course went shopping so I could be chic and fashionable at the conference:)

Ms. Travel Chic Travels! - Italy

In Celebration of my 1yr Blog-anniversary I am featuring photos from my favorite travel destinations. Last week I shared details on my Greece trip (check it out here)..and this week we go to ITALIA!

Enjoy...

In Fall of 2012 I spent 8 wonderful days touring Italy with 4 of my closest friends! This was another Gate 1 Travel trip (they are the BEST!) 
We started in Venice (did you know it was an island?) and spent two days shopping, touring museums and off course a gondola ride...

Venice from Rialto Bridge

Ms. Travel Chic Travels! - Greece

Happy Fall!

So a new follower to my blog last week shared with me some great feedback: "Love your blog but you have to catch us up on all the places you have been!"
My blog officially turned ONE recently (yay!) and I've been so focused on tips, resources and recent trip recaps that I've totally neglected to share photos and all the fun from my travels "pre blog" :-)

So this month I will have weekly features about all the AMAZING destinations I've traveled. 

This week..

GREECE

In September 2011 I traveled with friends on a 5 day trip to GREECE. We booked this trip via one of my go to travel agencies, www.Gate1Travel.com. All ground transportation (including our cruise), several meals, guided tours and accommodations were covered in our package. 
We started in Athens, Greece for 2 days and then departed on a 3 day cruise through the Greek Islands of Mykonos, Crete, Patmos and my favorite Santorini! We also had a stop over in Turkey between our island stops. 

Enjoy the photos :-)

Acropolis, Athens